Welcome to the PIECES Advisory Council website
News
10/24/2007 - Governor Joe Manchin today issued an Executive Order that empowers the PIECES Advisory Council to study governance of early childhood, develop quality standards, and examine financing of an early care and education program. A report must be completed and submitted to Governor Manchin by June 30, 2008. View the news release.
The Charge
Whereas research on brain development in young children establishes that early experiences are important to future social, emotional, physical and cognitive development; and
Whereas investment in early care and education significantly reduces future costs of social programs, crime and remedial education; and
Whereas research shows a clear and compelling connection between the quality of children’s learning experiences and later success in school and in life; and
Whereas research demonstrates a clear link between quality early care and education services and workforce recruitment and retention, and an educated and employable workforce; and
Whereas children who receive high-quality early education are less likely to drop out of school, less likely to repeat grades, less likely to need special education and less likely to get into trouble with the law; and
Whereas welfare reform requires low-income families to enter the workforce when their children are young, and safe, stable and affordable child care may make the difference between climbing out of poverty and falling deeper into it; and
Whereas for every dollar invested in high-quality, comprehensive early care and education, society saves seven dollars and sixteen cents in welfare, special education and criminal justice costs; and
Whereas the state of West Virginia is facing budgetary concerns and must better coordinate early care and education services in order to reduce duplication and maximize resources; and
Whereas Senate Bill 247 mandates the Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) and the Department of Education (WVDE) to establish pre-school services for four year olds in collaboration with existing early childhood programs such as Head Start and Child Care; and
Whereas DHHR and DOE require a long-range planning approach for developing the early care and education system in West Virginia.
Therefore the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Resources and the State Superintendent of schools establish Partners Implementing an Early Care and Education System Advisory Council, ("PIECES Advisory Council") to assist with the planning for programs for young children.
The PIECES Advisory Council shall:
- Establish a vision for the early care and education system in West Virginia for children birth through 5 years of age.
- Develop a comprehensive plan of early care and education which coordinates early care and education programs including child care, head start, birth-to-three, public early childhood education programs, and other programs serving families with young children throughout the state.
- Support ad hoc committees, as needed, using expertise from various disciplines including early care and education, higher education, and health to assist with specific issues such as professional development and curriculum.
- Create guidelines for local collaborative groups to use in building community capacity and redesigning services in local communities to reduce duplication and maximize resources.
- Establish rules for programs that participate in the provision of universal pre-kindergarten services for four year olds.
- Develop a process and guidelines for DHHR and DOE to approve county plans for universal pre-kindergarten programs.
- Design functional "one-stop shops" capable of providing referrals to all necessary services for young children and their families.
- Improve the involvement and support of business in early care and education.
- Recommend legislation for comprehensive programs for children birth through five, as well as recommendations for any additional funding.
- Provide information about meetings and Council decisions to their constituencies, as applicable.
- Meet on a monthly basis, or more frequently as needed, until July 2004. Meetings will be open to the public.
- DHHR and DE will provide staff support, including meeting minutes, for the PIECES Advisory Council.
